Mama's in the Kitchen

She ain't got no shoes!

Good eats at the Walker Street Kitchen was promised and delivered. Sticky rice, Lentils, Baked Pub fries, chips, bean dip...all the best of Vegan cuisine offered up by the fine folks at the Lowell home venue. Rai started right in helping prepare the food as soon as we walked in the door. Steph and Olivia (Ralpheatsdynamite) were beyond hospitable and all others attending were also wonderful.

Packrat and Coalmine Canary also lent their musical style to the night. Thanks to them, our hosts, and the next burger i ate so hard. :)

There are more pictures of us to be found at Walker St

Location, Location, Lo--where was I?

Great Scott!

Great Scott in Alston is a great local bar to see your favorite Boston rock group. Grinding Tapes Records is a great local record label where you can hear your favorite Boston area folk artist. To a different point, ever mix milk and a mint julep? Or wine and emotions? (Hemingway)
Anyway, we were glad to be invited to participate with some notable artists. Amelia from Mr. Sister, Cuddle Magic, and Alive & Awake each performed. Much Thanks to Grinding Tapes, Great Scott, all the bands, and our friends that came out!

"Keene Community"

WKNH fm - Let's Get Folked Up!*

We continued the conversation on folk music, the folk community, and some other folks at WKNH in Keene, NH. While waiting at the Starving Artist to meet our host, Thomas, we had a thrilling conversation on the entertainment industry, how it's often easier to get in touch with someone if you can contact them personally, rather than to go through booking agents, management, promotional personnel, etc., and what it means for U2 to really make a good album. To paraphrase, though the musicianship, song writing, performance, creativity/authenticity, and other things we deem important to a good work of art may be lacking, they have their arena anthems, their "hint to Christianity but NEVER say 'Jesus'" songs, their whatever they need to keep their hundreds of employees and dependants financially secure.
We love what the Starving Artist is trying to do in Keene, and it seems thus far they are achieving their goals. With that, off we were to WKNH. During the first hour, we discussed folk music and its currents status, and we played some great songs which exemplify what we love about music as well as some of our friends we truely believe in and appreciate. The second half of the show was our performance, interupted by way of our own.

"The Folk Community"

The Whitehaus *
Sometimes a group of people just warm your heart and make you feel welcomed and important. Sometimes these same people have fake plants, broken instruments, and other arty things hanging from the chandeliers. Musicians and guests crammed into room upon room of an old Jamaica Plain home filled with said and instruments, art, maps, records and CDs, screen printing tools...and so on.
Our set was well received and we were very happy to be able to catch up with some long time Boston friends, some folks we've known from out of town, and some new friends, some of whom played the same night. Below are some pictures taken that night. The performances were pretty dark, so none of those pictures came out well. There's Chris (added an empty whiskey bottle to the chandelier art) from The Points North, Laura from The Woodrow Wilsons drinking from a mason jar, Avi Jacob, and other friends.

Southern Independence Tour

   Finally! A pot of Gold

     You know you live in a beautiful town when there's always a rainbow. Lynchburg is not only a town rife with history of the Civil War, ageless topography, breathtaking buildings from years past, and monuments to lost brothers in every American war, but it is a place of business, emerging culture and arts, dining and brewing, ol' fashioned book-learnin', and home to the White Hart at Inklings. 

    We found ourselves with something not overly familiar to us this trip-time! After exploring the city au pied and stopping for a late lunch at the incredible Water Stone Brewery and Pizzeria , we were welcomed into the White Hart. One of the crew is from RI (20 minutes from home) and another from Farmington ME (minutes from Rai's family cabin). Smiley down here is the one from ME. 

    

      Everyone at the White Hart, from owners to customers, servers to chefs, was fantastic. We had a nearly full house of attentive listeners and played two full sets. Surrounded by books and new friends, we felt safe and creative. Thanks to all involved! The night was capped with complimentary dishes from the restaurant. The food was as amazing as the people. 

      Our night at the White Hart was much needed and much appreciated. Gracious was our hosts as we were sent back home. Up next is the Cat in the Cradle...

Visiting the Devils

    Duke U!

          The gothic campus of Duke University in Durham, NC is absolutely beautiful. 

    We played at the Armadillo Grille on campus. Yep. Sure did.

Chris Calls it Disas-Tour

    After a restful night spent in Pittsburgh, courtesy our friend Megan, Jamestownian and beer connoisseur, we went back to the van for a however hour drive to Berea, KY. Last we were in Berea, an accidental show bore great fruit. The Black Feather  was discovered on the back of a matchbook. The show was booked and within days, the town seemed to clamor to the small city's cultural meeting place, and mutual reception left a warm spot in our hearts for this small college town. 

    

  This visit to Berea had a noticeable lack of fruit. The Black Feather is such a pretty venue with great food and coffee run by great folks. The townspeople we met last time were very interesting and genuine people. Even the few we engaged this time were memorable. What went wrong could range from forgotten promotions in town to, well, they say it was cold. We're still working through it. We'll get 'em next time! Maybe...